YouTube TV Review 2024

YouTube TV at a Glance

Best for 

YouTube TV is best for people who want the cable experience at a cheaper price than traditional cable packages. It’s ideal for cord-cutters who want a big lineup of broadcast and cable channels.

Number of titles

YouTube TV offers more than 2,000 titles on demand from more than 100 channels.

Number of devices for simultaneous streaming

YouTube TV allows simultaneous streaming on three devices.

Mobile app

The YouTube TV mobile app is available for Apple and Android and receives 4/5 stars from YouTube TV reviews in those app stores. You can watch all the available channels on the mobile app.

Live TV channels

YouTube TV streams more than 100 live TV channels, including local affiliates for ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and PBS, as well as ESPN, Bravo, CNN, Fox News Channel, AMC, Univision, TNT, TBS, TLC and more.

Original content

YouTube TV enriches its platform with the YouTube Originals channel, featuring a variety of original series and movies from YouTube's most innovative creators. 

This includes a broad spectrum of genres and styles, from the action-packed "Cobra Kai," to the dramatic depths of "Impulse," and the comedic adventures of "Liza on Demand." Reality series enthusiasts have "Escape the Night" to look forward to, blending mystery and fantasy in an engaging format. 

These examples underscore YouTube TV's dedication to delivering unique, premium content directly from the creative minds of YouTube, offering something special for every type of viewer.

Are there any ads on YouTube TV?

Yes, there are ads on YouTube TV. The service streams cable and broadcast channels like HGTV, TBS and more that include commercials as part of their lineups. You can use the unlimited cloud DVR storage to record shows and fast-forward through ads, though.

What Is YouTube TV?

YouTube TV streams live and on-demand options from top broadcast and cable channels. Its lineup of more than 100 channels is more than any other major streaming option. It is perfect for people who want to cut the cord and avoid hidden fees with cable providers but who still want the same channels and variety of sports, news, and entertainment options they enjoy with cable. 

Is YouTube TV Safe and Reliable?

YouTube TV is safe and reliable. Google owns YouTube, and it is known for providing users with strong security. Many users cite YouTube TV’s reliability in TrustPilot and other online reviews. 

How YouTube TV Works

How to sign up for YouTube TV is straightforward. It uses an easy-to-navigate process that grants you instant access to programming. You start by entering your zip code to see what services are available in your area. Then you create an account using your email. You can also use an existing Google account to log in instead of making a new one. 

Once you are logged in, you can choose any add-ons, such as NFL Sunday Ticket or Showtime, for your monthly plan. You enter your payment information and can begin using the service immediately by either watching online or downloading the mobile app to use on a third-party device.

The sign-up process is very simple and takes less than five minutes. The app is intuitive and uses obvious prompts and directives.

YouTube TV's User Interface

The user interface looks a lot like a traditional cable provider’s setup. In the “Live” section, you see a block schedule broken out by channel and time, and you can scroll to the channel you want to watch. The screen loads quickly, as do channels after you choose them. There are a ton of channels, so you may need to scroll a bit to find what you want.

You can also browse content by genre in the “Library” section. By clicking “comedy,” for example, you receive a list of old and new shows, such as “Seinfeld” and “Abbott Elementary.” You also receive a list of upcoming comedies airing live, and you can add filters to find shows better-suited to your needs, such as finding movie comedies, sitcoms, animated comedies and more. 

You can pause and rewind live shows. The screen displays name and episode information for every show, which is especially helpful for parents searching for content their kids haven’t watched before. The DVR is similarly straightforward, and the search feature is excellent, including allowing you to look up specific sports. 

YouTube TV Features

For $4.99 for the first year and $9.99 per month after that, you can subscribe to YouTube TV 4K, which offers better picture quality than the regular plan. Additionally, YouTube TV has 5.1 surround sound, where available, while most close competitors only have stereo sound. You also receive unlimited cloud DVR storage. 

YouTube TV allows you to create up to six user profiles, though you can only stream on three devices at a time. It includes unlimited cloud DVR storage, setting it apart from several competitors. The YouTube TV multiview option lets viewers watch up to four streams on the same screen, a fun alternative for heavy TV consumers, especially sports fans who want to view multiple games at once. 

What Devices Does YouTube TV Support?

You can watch YouTube TV on: 

• Smartphones and tablets running Android 5.0 Lollipop and above or iOS 11 and above 

• Roku

• Chromecast

• Google TV

• Amazon Fire 

• Xbox

• PlayStation

• Google Nest Hub

• Apple TV/Apple TV 4K

• Vizio SmartCast TVs

• Samsung TVs

• LG smart TVs

• Hisense TVs

What Can You Watch on YouTube TV?

You can watch a huge variety of programming on YouTube TV, including older shows in the library and live shows on more than 100 channels, plus sports and news programming. Some of the top shows available include: 

• Comedy: Friends, Young Sheldon, The Big Bang Theory, Saturday Night Live, The Office

• Drama: Chicago Fire, FBI, NCIS, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Blue Bloods, The Rookie

• Reality: House Hunters, Shark Tank, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Below Deck, The Bachelor, Fixer Upper

• Family and kids: PAW Patrol, Bluey, SpongeBob SquarePants, Peppa Pig

• News: Today, Good Morning America, Dateline, 60 Minutes, Hannity, The Five, The Ingraham Angle

YouTube TV Customer Service

YouTube handles the bulk of customer service online. A live chat option is available by clicking Help in the navigation bar, selecting Need more help, and then clicking Contact us. This will open a chat with the YouTube support team. 

You can also send an email from your account page directly to YouTube support and receive a reply within 24 hours. Or you can request a call from a specialist — there is no direct phone number for YouTube TV customer service. 

Some online reviews note getting anyone on the phone can be tricky, one of the few marks against the service. There is an online forum where subscribers can seek help from other subscribers as well as a site that offers videos answering common questions about YouTube TV.

While it does not have a dedicated FAQ, this page addresses a lot of common subscriber concerns. The YouTube blog occasionally posts about YouTube TV, mostly news and events content.

How to Cancel or Pause a YouTube TV Subscription

To cancel your YouTube TV membership, click or tap your profile photo for your account. Go to Settings and then Membership, select Manage and hit Cancel membership. Then hit Cancel, and your membership will be canceled. You can continue to watch YouTube TV until the end of the billing cycle. 

You can also pause your membership for up to six months, and billing will start again automatically if you do not cancel in that time. To pause, go to Settings and then Membership, select Manage and hit Pause membership. Then hit Pause, and your membership will be paused. Your DVR recordings will remain saved while you are paused.

Is There a YouTube TV App?

There is an Android and iPhone/iPad YouTube TV app that you can use to watch live and on-demand TV. 

YouTube TV Pricing

YouTube TV's pricing structure is designed with a focus on offering value in the competitive streaming market, featuring clear monthly fees and targeted discounts, including limited-time offers for new members and exclusive deals for students. This strategy allows YouTube TV to position itself as an attractive choice among various streaming options, providing a vast selection of live and on-demand content.

How Much Does YouTube TV Cost?

YouTube TV costs $72.99 per month, a few dollars less than similar competitors like Hulu+Live TV and Sling charge for their most comprehensive plans. It offers a discount of $15 per month for the first three months, and you can try a 10-day free trial and cancel at any time. 

You can also get a YouTube TV student discount on the NFL Sunday ticket, paying about half the price ($199) of a regular subscription. 

Optional Add-Ons

YouTube TV offers a wide-range of add-ons that you can opt to add to your account, further enhancing your streaming experience. Here are just some of the optional add-ons offered:

• NFL Sunday Ticket ($87.25/month for 4 months)

• NFL Sunday Ticket + Red Zone ($97.25/month for 4 months) 

• 4K Plus (30-day free trial, then $4.99/month for 12 months, then $9.99/month)

• Max ($15.99/month)

• Sports Plus ($10.99/month)

• Spanish Plus ($14.99/month)

• NBA League Pass ($14.99/month)

• WNBA League Pass ($7.99/month)

• Entertainment Plus ($29.99/month)

• Zee Family ($14.99/month)

• Paramount+ with Showtime ($10.99/month)

• Starz ($9.99/month)

• Hallmark Movies Now ($5.99/month)

• Cinemax ($9.99/month)

• MGM+ ($6.99/month)

• Starz and MGM+ ($11.99/month)

• FOX Nation ($5.99/month)

• CuriosityStream ($4.99/month)

• AMC+ ($8.99/month)

• Shudder ($6.99/month)

• Sundance Now ($6.99/month)

• Acorn TV ($6.99/month)

• IFC Films Unlimited ($5.99/month)

Is YouTube TV Worth It?

Is YouTube TV worth it? Yes, the service packs good value for the monthly price. With a wide range of channels, including broadcast options not offered by some streaming plans, and a great variety of sports content, YouTube TV is a solid investment that can replace other entertainment options, consolidating many of your favorite shows under one membership plan.